A tax refund is your money, not the government's. Put those funds to good use. Tax refund day is the most wonderful time of the year for some. It's not every day that cash appears in your bank account, seemingly by magic. According to the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, this year's average refund so far has been $3,011. I know -- it's tempting to spend that money and splurge to treat yourself. But consider this before booking that vacation you've been waiting for: A tax refund isn't free money. It's wages ...